Setanta Cup 09/10

[sligoman]

Dates here (http://foot.ie/forums/showpost.php?p=1168062&postcount=1).

http://www.setanta.com/uk/Articles/Football/2009/05/27/SSCup-Setanta-Sports-Cup-format-revealed/gnid-54713/

Bohs at home, Cork away, Pat's away I assume will be moved to mid-week because of this.

[sligored]

more bad news - from extratime.ie

The imminent implosion of Setanta Sports could mean that the cross-border cup sponsored by the television broadcaster will now be adandoned.

The 2009 tournament is set to get underway on the 27th of August but if Setanta - who are losing what is believed to be £100million a year - enter administration later this week, the future of the cup will be taken into serious doubt.

Regardless of the sponsors’ financial difficulties, the competition had already been put into a perilous position due to the attitude of some IPL clubs, such as Glentoran and Linfield.

The two Belfast sides threatened to pull out due to the scheduling of the tournament, and therefore it has now been changed to suit teams north of the border.

If the cup goes ahead this season, which according to Milo Corcoran recently it will, games will also be played on weekends. This means that the five LOI sides will then have to move four league games to midweek causing disruption during the final stretch of the league.

Incredibly, the tournament would last until next mayl three months into the 2010 LOI season. It would no doubt hinder preparations for five of the nine sides as well as damage the bit of integrity the competition has left.

If Setanta do go bust, TV coverage would obviously be lost but more importantly there would be a severe drop in prize money which would then bring the competition into doubt. The prize money was the most

Another major sponsor would then be needed to keep the cup, which Cork City are currently holders of, in existence. However, the current economic state would make the idea of another sponsor coming in to keep the competition running seem highly unlikely.

Not so long ago, there were dreams of an All-Ireland League becoming a reality sooner rather than later but that dream now seems oceans away.

[gufc2000]

Not so long ago, there were dreams of an All-Ireland League becoming a reality sooner rather than later but that dream now seems oceans away.
Thats so true. I saw them as the only main backers that would pump money in, but its a long way off now.

[dong]

I don't think Rovers were ever mentioned in any long term ideas for an All Ireland league anyways so wouldn't be too worried.

[Only1Rovers]

Will there be a Setanta Cup considering the difficulties Setanta Sports are experiencing?

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/0611/setanta.html

[LondonRover]

I read an article in the Guardian this morning which appeared to concur with what yer man from the IFA was saying on RTE.ie - that Setanta Ireland is a profitable going concern and completely separate from Setanta UK (which looks shook).

Fingers crossed.

[The Midget Gem]

I read in the Business post on sunday that its most likely Setanta will be taken over by Sky Sports or ESPN. Really its up to Sky who have the choice of buying it out to stop ESPN entering this market, or if they decide not, they'll let ESPN come in here.
Either way Setanta Ireland is separate to Setanta UK(who are in trouble).

[Boo_Boy]

Oh please let it be ESPN.

[thesilverfox]

has to be ESPN. loads of channels they have. love watching dodgeball on ESPN 8 "The Ocho":D:D

[Only1Rovers]

Oh please let it be ESPN.

"Bottom of the second and winners of the world series The Manchester Red Devil's are rushing the Hull Tigers dee-fence in this sweeping POWER PLAY!!!"

[SligoBrewer]

"Bottom of the second and winners of the world series The Manchester Red Devil's are rushing the Hull Tigers dee-fence in this sweeping POWER PLAY!!!"

Sky Sports are nearly as bad in fairness.

[MMVIII]

Sky Sports are nearly as bad in fairness.

No they're not. Far better analysis of football games, and thats all that matters.

And in saying that, they're ****e at analysing games :D

[Inside Man]

In the Paper today that Delaney is worried about this not going ahead.

If this didn't go ahead it would be a disaster for the club imo.

[forza rovers]

In the Paper today that Delaney is worried about this not going ahead.

If this didn't go ahead it would be a disaster for the club imo.its going ahead they said they have a back up sponser

[avvenalaf]

its going ahead they said they have a back up sponser

Knowing the FAI, it's probably Anglo Irish Bank.